Orange coffee is easy to make at home. Combine orange juice, a little sweetener, and ice, then gently pour cold brew or espresso over the top. Coffee and orange juice might sound like an unusual combination, but the sweet citrus and bold coffee work surprisingly well together. They also create a beautiful orange and coffee layered effect that has earned the drink the name Bumblebee Coffee.
What is Orange Coffee?
Orange coffee is a refreshing combination of coffee (usually cold brew or espresso) and orange juice, often with a little sweetener. Some variations use citrus syrup or orange peels to add flavor instead. The drink goes by many names, including Bumblebee Coffee, Bumble, Orange Bumble, Orange Joe, Sunrise Coffee, Orange Americano, or even Coffee Orange Juice. It's also sometimes confused with Mazagran, a similar citrus coffee drink with its own history.
Bumblebee Coffee gets its name from its distinctive layers. When poured carefully, the orange juice settles at the bottom of the glass while the dark coffee floats on top, creating stripes that resemble a bumblebee.
Wondering about combining the acidity of coffee and citrus? The brightness of the orange juice actually helps cut through the coffee's natural bitterness, creating a surprisingly refreshing balance of sweet and bold flavors. Some people even add milk to the mix for a variation called an Orange Latte.
Where Does Bumblebee Coffee Come From?
Legend has it that Bumblebee Coffee was invented in Moscow, Russia, in 2001 by a barista at a coffee chain called Coffeemania. The drink combined espresso, orange juice, ice, and a little sweetness. Its distinctive orange and dark brown layers resembled the stripes of a bumblebee, and the name stuck.
But the idea of combining coffee and citrus goes back much further. Bumblebee Coffee is often associated with Mazagran, a cold coffee drink that originated in Algeria in the 1800s. Whether Mazagran actually influenced the creation of Bumblebee Coffee is hard to say, but the two share some similarities. They aren't quite the same drink, though, and we'll get into those differences later on.
Ingredients & Equipment Needed to Make Orange Coffee (aka Bumblebee Coffee)
You don't need much to make Bumblebee Coffee at home. A few simple ingredients, your favorite cold brew or espresso, and some basic kitchen tools are all it takes. We love using freshly squeezed orange juice, but bottled orange juice works just fine, too.
Ingredients
- 1-2 Oranges to make 3-3.5 ounces of orange juice and a garnish (or just use a bottle of orange juice and skip the garnish)
- 2-4 ounces of cold brew or a double shot of espresso
- 1 tsp sweetener (maple, agave, simple syrup) or to taste
- Ice
Equipment
- Citrus juicer: A simple handheld juicer works perfectly. You don’t need a fancy machine.
- Strainer: To remove pulp from your freshly squeezed orange juice.
- Peeler: For cutting an orange peel garnish (you’re totally worth the extra flourish).
- Cold brew or espresso equipment: A jar, water, and a strainer for cold brew, or an espresso machine.
- Glass: Preferably a clear one so you can admire the beautiful layers.
- Spoon: For stirring your sweetener and creating the signature Bumblebee coffee layers.
Steps to Make Orange Coffee
All you need to do is combine orange juice, a little sweetener, and your favorite coffee over ice. We love it with cold brew, but you can also pull a shot of espresso if you prefer. Here's how to make your own Bumblebee Coffee at home.
- Prepare your coffee. If you're using cold brew, combine coarsely ground coffee with water at a ratio of 1 ounce of coffee to 10 ounces of water. Refrigerate for 16–24 hours, then strain out the grounds. You can find more tips in our complete cold brew recipe. If you prefer espresso, pull a double shot and let it cool slightly before assembling your drink.
- Fill your glass with ice. A clear glass works best so you can see the beautiful Bumblebee Coffee layers.
- Add the orange juice. Squeeze 1–2 oranges to get 3–3.5 ounces of juice. Strain out the pulp so you have a smoother drink, then pour the juice over the ice. Bottled orange juice works just fine, too!
- Stir in your sweetener. Add 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, agave, or simple syrup, adjusting to taste. Give it a quick stir to combine with the orange juice.
- Slowly pour in the coffee. Add 2–4 ounces of cold brew or your double shot of espresso. To get the signature layered effect, pour the coffee slowly over the back of a spoon so it falls gently into the glass and settles on top of the orange juice.
- Garnish and enjoy! Add a twist of fresh orange peel for a little extra citrus aroma and a finishing touch. Grab a straw, give it a stir when you're ready, and enjoy!
Another Option: Orange-Infused Cold Brew
If you love the idea of orange-flavored coffee but aren't quite ready to mix coffee and orange juice, try infusing your cold brew with orange peels instead.
Use a peeler to remove the peel from an orange, avoiding the bitter white pith, and add it to the water with your coffee grounds. Let everything steep together as you normally would, then strain and serve over ice. You'll get a subtle citrus flavor without adding orange juice directly to your coffee.
Does Orange Coffee Taste Good?
Yes! Orange coffee is bright, refreshing, and slightly sweet, with the citrus helping balance the natural bitterness of the coffee. It's a popular combination enjoyed in different forms around the world.
Bumblebee Coffee vs. Mazagran
Bumblebee Coffee and Mazagran are both cold coffee drinks that combine coffee with citrus and a little sweetness. The biggest difference is that Bumblebee Coffee is most commonly made with orange juice, and The Mazagran most commonly uses lemon.
Mazagran is sometimes called the original iced coffee, with roots dating back to Algeria in the 1800s. According to legend, French soldiers stationed in Algeria during the French occupation mixed their coffee with cold water to beat the desert heat. Over time, the drink evolved to include sugar, lemon juice, and sometimes even alcohol, such as rum, or a little mint.
Mazagran eventually spread throughout Europe, with different variations becoming popular in Portugal, Spain, and Austria. While the two drinks share some similarities, Bumblebee Coffee has its own distinct orange flavor and those signature striped layers.
What are the Best Coffee Beans for Bumblebee Coffee?
We love making Bumblebee Coffee with our Cold Brew Coffee. It's already coarsely ground for cold brewing and produces a smooth, less bitter cup that pairs beautifully with the bright citrus flavor of orange juice.
For those who opt for espresso, we recommend our Espresso Roast, but you really can’t go wrong with any of our dark roast coffees.
Ready to give Bumblebee Coffee a try? Shop our coffee collection today and find your new favorite brew!
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